Automatic circuit-closer for telegraph-instruments



(No Model.)

J. W.1V10ARTHUR.

AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT CLOSER FOR TELEGRAPH INSTRUMENTS. No. 331,148. Patented NOV. 24, 1885.

12': Attorneys.

N, PETERS. phulvLilhnmphnr. Wnshin'gtun, D. C

linrrnn @rares Parent @einen JAMES W. MCARTHUR, OF VALTON, KANSAS.

AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT-CLOSER FOR TELEGRAPH-lNSTRUll/lENTS.

SPIGEFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 331,148, dated November 24%, 1885.

Application filed October 3, 18H5. Serial No.'17S,943. (No modell V T0 all when@ it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J AMES W. McAarnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at W'alton, in the county of Harvey and State of Kansas, have invented new and useful Improve ments in Automatic Circuit-Closets :for Telegraplrlnstrurnents, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to an improvement in -circuit-closers for telegraph-instru ments 5 and it consists in the peculiar construction and combination of devices, that will be more fully set forth hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The accompanying drawing is a side elevation of a telegraphie key with my improved circuit closer attached thereto, partly in scction.

A represents a telegraphic key of the usual construction. On the under side of the lever B is secured a metallic strip, C, which is insulated from the lever and extends nearly the full length thereof. On the upper side ot' the outer end of the lever is secured a hollow knob, D, in which is placed a button, E, preferably made in the shape here shown, so as to be easily grasped by the operator. A shank, F, extends from the lower side of the button down through an opening in the knob and in the lever, and on the lower end of this shank is a metallic contact-disk, G. A coiled spring, H, on the upper portion of the shank bears between the button and the knob, so as to raise the button and keep the contactedisk in contact with the free end of the contact-strip C. @n the anvil I of the key is placed a coiled metallic spring, K, that bears against the under side ot' the strip C and connects the anvil at all times with the strip C. Y

rlhe usual spring, L, and bearing-screw lvl are provided for keeping the contact-points N of the key normally open.

Vhen the key is not in use, the circuit is completed through the base, the lever, the contact-disk, springs, and strip, and the oonnecting-spring K, which latter forms substan tially a flexible connection between the strip C and the anvil.

lVhen the button is grasped by the operator, g

the spring H yields, and t-he connection between the contact-disk and strip C is broken, to be again established as soon as the operator releases his grasp. l

Then the spring L is employed, the spring K will be made very light and flexible, so as not to otter too great resistance to the downward movement ot' the lever; but the spring L may be dispensed with altogether by makA ing the spring K of sufficient strength.

l do not desire to limit myself to the precise construction hereinbefore described, as it is evident that many modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, l claiml. rl`he key having the contactstrip secured to the lever and insulated therefrom, the tleXible connection between the strip and the anvil, and the movable button having the contact disk or point in contact with the strip when the key is not in use, and adapted to automatically break connection with the strip when the button is depressed, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a telegraplrkey, of the strip C, secured to the lever and insulated therefrom, the spring connecting said strip with the anvil, and the vertically-movable button having the contact disk or point for connecting the strip O and the lever when the key is not in use, and breaking the said connection when thc button is de iressed, and the spring ll, bearing under the button, substantiall y described.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own l have hereto aiiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES YV. MOARTHUR.

Vitnesses:

XV. H. Conn, L. Hi. STRATTAN. 

